LEWIS E. KIMBALL, JR. SCHOLARSHIP HISTORY
Author, Barbara Cotnam, October, 2018
Lewis E. Kimball Jr. - FCW Director from 1983 - 2012
The Friends of Chatham Waterways, Lewis (Lew) E. Kimball, Jr. Scholarship was established in 2007. Lew was a founding director of the Friends of Chatham Waterways serving as vice president in 1983. He was president in 1994, when a committee of FCW directors worked for nine years writing, lobbying and helping to finance publication of a two volume Stage Harbor Management Plan - the first of its kind in the state for a town – it was approved by the Federal EPA and the MA Secretary of Environmental Affairs. It became a model for many other towns in the state. Lew held leadership roles at FCW and in the community until his death in 2012.
He held a bachelor’s degree from University of California, Berkeley and a masters from Harvard University. A Navy enlistee during WW11, he ranked as Captain after serving in the reserves for twenty-seven years. He and his wife, (Emilie) Lee and their three children began summering in Chatham in the mid-60’s. When he retired after forty-two years of teaching, and as headmaster at private schools in California, Virginia and Massachusetts, Lew and Lee settled in Chatham.
Since the scholarship began in 2007, FCW has supported a wide variety of students such as Christine Harris, who later attained a master’s degree and currently works at the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary as Naturalist and Public Programs Coordinator; and Owen Nichols, who now holds a PhD in Marine Science and is currently the Marine Fisheries Research Director at the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies. Please see the "Previous Award Winners" tab for a complete list of the students and their impressive bios.
Friends of Chatham Waterways is offering Lewis E. Kimball, Jr. scholarships of up to $3,000 to graduate students and upper -level undergraduate students majoring in marine or environmental studies. It is our belief that providing grants at the graduate and undergraduate school levels will enable and encourage young men and women -- tomorrow's leaders -- to commit themselves to careers in these fields.
The scholarship is open to graduate students, and undergraduate applicants entering their junior or senior year of college within the next 12 months, and majoring in environmental studies, environmental management, marine ecology or related subjects in these fields. Applicants must be residents of Cape Cod or the Islands, or graduates of a Cape Cod/Island high school or college.
If you have any questions or problems with the application email scholarships@chathamwaterways.org.
Previous Award Winners
Brady Hill: Yarmouth
Univ. Vermont
B.S.Biology, Minor Plant Biology, Chemistry
Meet Brady Hill! Brady is a rising senior studying biology at the University of Vermont, and anticipates graduating in 2025. Brady was also a 2023 scholarship recipient and an FCW intern in 2023. Brady plans to pursue a career in land or waterway management. He has highlighted his skills by creating a map showing the importance of connecting to a sewer system rather than septic to prevent potentially detrimental runoff. Congratulations, Brady!
Evangeline Gosselin: South Chatham
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
B.S. Marine Science/Safety/Environmental Protection (MSSEP), Dual Major: Facilities
Engineering
Meet Evangeline Gosselin! Evangeline is a rising senior studying environmental protection and
facilities engineering at Massachusetts Maritime Academy and anticipates graduating in 2025.
She was also a 2023 scholarship recipient. She plans to pursue a career in renewable energy and
sustainability. Evangeline already has several ideas for improving local waterways, such as
implementing nutrient monitoring at industrial sites, controlling fertilizer use, limestone
treatment, biological controls, and vegetation buffers. Along with local and community
engagement, Evangeline is optimistic that the local waterways in Cape Cod can be protected.
Congratulations, Evangeline!
Colin Bostwick: East Falmouth
Norwich Univ (VT)
B.S. Environmental Science minor Envir. Crime, Criminal Justice, Criminology
Meet Colin Bostwick! Colin is a rising senior studying environmental science at Norwich University, and expects to graduate in 2025. He was also a 2023 scholarship recipient. Colin plans to attend Officer Candidate School with the Coast Guard and has a long-term goal of becoming a Fish and Game Warden. Colin is passionately concerned about the microplastics in our waterways that threaten the well-being of predatory fish and have a cascade effect on the whole ecosystem. He recommends combating this by reducing single-use plastics and making efforts to clear waterways and beaches of discarded plastic and trash. Congratulations, Colin!
Kenaan Yakola: Eastham
Oregon State University
Wildlife Science Marine science and conservation
Meet Kenaan Yakola! Kenaan is a graduate student working towards his PhD at Oregon State University researching the GPS tracking of sea birds. After completing his PhD in 2025/2026, he plans to work for NGOs to aid in research and education efforts. He has completed impressive research on seabirds, from studying their diet in Maine to using newly developed GPS tracking to look at their migration patterns. The data he collected from the tracking systems was used to inform the construction of wind developments off the coast of Maine. Kenaan's research emphasizes that seabirds migrate throughout New England's coast and heavily depend on the resources Cape Cod has to provide, utilizing the Cape’s ecosystems as breeding sites. Thus, it is important to conserve the waterways and resources of the coast. Congratulations, Kenaan!
Tristan Miller: Wellfleet
Paul Smith' College
BS Ecological Restoration Minor: Botany and GIS
Meet Tristan Miller! Tristan is a rising junior studying ecological restoration at Paul Smith’s College, and anticipates graduating in the fall of 2026. Through diverse experiences, Tristan has honed his skills in land management and deepened his passion for nature conservation. Using his extensive skills in ecology, Tristan created an experimental greenhouse to research different growing conditions. In his free time, he surveys the cold beaches in the winter on the Cape, looking for cold-stunned wildlife that he rescues for rehabilitation. Congratulations, Tristan!
Sintra Reves-Sohn: Falmouth
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Geosciences
Meet Sintra Reves-Sohn! Sintra is a graduate student at UMASS Amherst and plans to pursue a PhD in geoscience, completing her studies in 2029. After completing her studies, she wants to work for an environmental NGO or pursue a research professor position; while doing so, she hopes to uplift and collaborate with the communities affected most by climate change. Sintra emphasizes the importance of salt marshes and their roles in the surrounding ecosystems. She suggests a way to tackle the daunting task of understanding the inner workings of salt marshes is to collaborate with natural and cultural resource managers regarding strategies to gain a holistic understanding of the salt marsh as a collective. The combined knowledge of working with all organizations and individuals makes accomplishing a large task easier. Congratulations, Sintra!
Sarah Thieler: Falmouth
Smith college
BA Environmental Geoscience Minor: Education & Child Study
Meet Sarah Thieler! Sarah is a rising junior at Smith College, studying environmental geoscience, and is anticipated to graduate in 2026. Growing up in Falmouth, Sarah is dedicated to continuing to raise awareness about environmental issues in her community. Growing up in Falmouth has given Sarah a firsthand understanding of the challenges the Cape’s waterways face. She has witnessed the detrimental impact of numerous blooms on the scallop population in West Falmouth Harbor. Sarah recommends the continuation of water testing efforts to monitor pollution hotspots. Identifying these hotspots will enable the development of management plans targeting high contributors. Moreover, Sarah proposes testing wastewater to identify specific contaminants and their sources. She aims to collaborate with local communities and organizations to promote the health of waterways. Congratulations, Sarah!
Phoebe Gill: Yarmouth Port
University New Hampshire
BS Wildlife and Conservation Biology Minor: Musical Theater
Meet Phoebe Gill! Phoebe is a rising junior at the University of New Hampshire, studying wildlife and conservation biology, and is anticipated to graduate in 2026. Growing up in Yarmouth Port allowed Phoebe to develop a passion for environmental education, and she plans to pursue a career in this field as well. Using her education skills, Phoebe created the impressive infographic showcased earlier this summer. Congratulations, Phoebe!
Mathew Pittsley: Barnstable
Univ. New England
BS Environmental Science Minor: Marine Biology, GIS
Meet Matthew Pittsley! Matthew is a rising senior at the University of 
New England, studying environmental science, and is anticipated to graduate in December of 2024. He has plans to complete a master's or certification program in GIS after graduation. Using his GIS skills, he has created a map of the trophic status of Chatham's Waterway. Matthew cut out red meat entirely from his diet in 2021 for environmental reasons. The production of red meat is one of the leading causes of deforestation and methane release. Cutting out red meat may feel like a small change, but it can make a significant difference in the long run. Congratulations, Matthew!
Gina Pezzella: Buzzards Bay
Cape Cod Community College
Associate Degree, Environmental Science Tech
Meet Gina Pezzella! Gina is a rising senior at Cape Cod Community College, studying environmental science & Technology; she is anticipated to graduate in 2024. After graduation, she plans to continue to protect wetlands, while educating the general public about the importance that wetlands play in the health of the coast. She believes that at the local level, education and monitoring efforts will lead to sustainable conservation. To highlight this, Gina has created a few slides to summarize the importance of conservation at a local level. Congratulations, Gina!
Liam Brister: Dennis, Mass.
Majoring in Evolutionary Biology at Northeastern University, Liam hopes to one day achieve a doctorate in marine evolutionary science. A Dennis resident, Mr. Brister has studied the California Two-Spot Octopus at the Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory, inventoried mollusks at the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology, and analyzed coral resilience with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama. He is most proud of his work teaching about the environment to Cape Cod youth.
Kaitlyn Button: Wellfleet, Mass.
A Master’s student at Paul Smith’s College, alumnus of Alfred University, and resident of Welfleet, is studying Natural Resource Conservation with a concentration in Aquatic Resources. Ms. Button has extensive experience working with governmental organizations and volunteering with AmeriCorps, she currently serves as an aquatic technician at the Cape Cod National Seashore. In this role, she has studied eelgrass health, and observed a bleaching event that is novel to this region.
Colin Bostwick: Falmouth, Mass.
Environmental Science major at Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont, has always had a great love for the environment on Cape Cod. Mr. Bostwick has volunteered in several organizations, including the Falmouth Rod and Gun Club where he served as a member of the Pollinator Committee that plants native species to create biodiversity and provide food for pollinators. After graduation in 2024, Colin would like to serve as a Massachusetts Fish and Game Warden.
Evangeline Gosselin: Chatham, Mass.
The recipient of the 2022 Cadet of the Year award at Mass Maritime Academy (MMA) for her exemplary leadership and service, as she pursues a dual major in Environmental Protection and Facilities Engineering at MMA. Passionate about creating an environmentally sustainable future, Ms. Gosselin will serve as an environmental engineering intern at NextEra Energy this summer, with future employment goals centered around environmental protection.
Marissa Gonsalves: Yarmouth, Mass.
Pursuing a career in marine affairs and marine biology, Marissa Gonsalves will be going into her senior year at the University of Rhode Island next fall. She is a resident of Yarmouth and is the first of her family to attend college. Her academic achievement earned her a spot on the Dean’s List last fall. Ms. Gonsalves is deeply conscious of her own impact on the environment, and has taken meaningful steps to reduce her waste and carbon footprint. Her goal is to continue to learn and develop solutions to improve the quality of marine ecosystems.
Brady Hill: Yarmouth, Mass.
A Biological Sciences major at the University of Vermont and a Yarmouth resident, has spent his recent summers helping conserve Cape Cod’s unique landscape. Last year, he worked with the Brewster Conservation Trust maintaining green space for native species, and this year, he is working with the Barnstable Department of Public Works on stormwater management and water quality monitoring. He is also serving as one of the Friends of Chatham Waterways’ Summer Interns! Mr. Hill hopes to continue working to conserve nature as a career.
Luke MacKay: Nantucket, Mass.
Returning this summer from studying abroad in Madrid, Luke MacKay will continue studying Environmental Studies and Spanish at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York next fall. Mr. MacKay aspires to go into environmental law or advocacy and interned with the Linda Loring Nature Foundation last summer. This year, he’ll work with the Nantucket Land Council and continue volunteering with the Linda Loring Nature Foundation.
Tristan Matherly: Truro, Mass.
He is majoring in Environmental Science after transferring to the University of Vermont. In the past, Mr. Matherly has worked on farms to produce healthy and sustainably grown food for people in his community. With his degree, he hopes to work on the protection of coastal habitats and wildlife.
Adam Veloso; N. Dartmouth, Mass
Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Marine Science, Safety and Environmental Protection
Bachelor’s Degree expected 2023
Adam is a top student at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He hopes to one day work on ecological restoration projects, or environmental compliance at wind farms. In addition to his
academic achievements, Adam has done extensive field work as a part of his studies, including shellfish restoration in Buzzards Bay, field research on the importance of eelgrass and scallop beds, and aquaculture field research in Bermuda.
Aubrey Church; Teaticket, MA
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth; School for Marine Science and Technology;
Coastal and Ocean Administration, Science and Technology (COAST),
Master’s Degree expected December 2022.
Aubrey is completing her Masters while also working as research biologist at the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation. She values collaboration among managers, biologists, and commercial fishermen with a goal to build trust between fishermen and the scientific community. She published a paper in Fisheries Research on lobsters maturity information which is useful for stock management. She recently worked with lawmakers in Rhode Island to prohibit release of bulk balloons which have a negative environmental impact.
Colin Bostwick; East Falmouth Mass,
Norwich University Vermont, Environmental Science; Bachelor’s Degree expected 2024
Colin loves the outdoors and environment, starting from high school at the Upper Cape Technical School where he first began his studies in the environment. His career goal is to be a Fish and Game Warden for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, where he can combine his triple passions of the outdoors, the environment and helping people. He is also an active volunteer currently involved in a pollinator club and with his church.
Evangeline Gosselin; N. Andover, Mass
Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Environmental Protection and Facilities Engineering; Bachelor's Degree expected 2024
Evangeline is a cadet at Mass Maritime Academy with a goal of working in the renewable energy industry. She is passionate about creating an environmentally sustainable future. Evangeline has interned with Vicinity Energy in Boston, where she worked on a project to replace traditional #6 fuel oil with a biofuel. She has also worked in raising awareness of the importance of environmental and marine protections such as planting dune grass and trash clean -ups. At the Academy, Evangeline, is part of the design team for the MMA Collegiate Wind Competition, building prototypes for offshore wind turbines.
Hannah Mitchell; South Chatham, Mass
Roger Williams University, RI; Marine Biology, Environmental Chemistry;
Bachelor’s Degree expected 2023
Hannah has a deep appreciation for interdisciplinary projects. She plans to apply her knowledge in biology, chemistry and social science (her minor) to future research projects and to effectively advocate for marine conservation using a holistic approach. Her current research is focused on aquaculture and “rust blooms”. Active in her community, she plays a leadership role in Roger Williams University Sustainability Club and the Food Recovery Network, responsible for everything from beach clean-ups, to recovering food from the dining hall for use in shelters and food banks.
Keenan Yakola; Eastham, MA
Oregon State University. Wildlife Science;
PhD. expected 2026.
Keenan is passionate about seabirds! His love for the environment and the sea grew from his childhood spent exploring Nauset Marsh. He has been inspired and mentored by individuals at Wellfleet Audubon and the National Seashore, and has a long association with the Seabird Institute. He has traveled to Tanzania, the Peruvian Amazon and Maine in his avian research and his current focus is in the Gulf of Maine studying movement and foraging ecology of Common and Arctic Terns as well as Leach’s Storm Petrel. He aspires to work for an environmental NGO focused on birds and to continue to serve as a mentor to students here and around the world.
Luke MacKay; Nantucket, MA
Skidmore College; Environmental Studies; Minor in Business;
Bachelor's Degree expected 2024
Luke lives on Nantucket and has a great love for the community and natural environment. At his summer internship at Linda Loring Nature Foundation he is focused on education and development of programs aimed at conserving and protecting property. He has volunteered with classmates and younger students to assist with their class work as well as teach water sports and on a farm learning sustainable agriculture practices. His goal is to reduce harmful practices by corporations and others and to protect the environment.
Alexa “Lexi” Schvarczkopf; East Falmouth MA
Boston University; International studies and Environmental Analysis and Policy;
Bachelor’s Degree expected 2022
Lexi aspires to a career as an international environmental lawyer with the United Nations or the Center for International Environmental Law. She has written four articles for BU’s environmental periodical, the Emerald Review, including the history of water pollution in London’s River Thames. She also did a research internship for a Swiss environmental NGO on carbon markets, and was commended by her BU professor for a notable term paper on the environmental policies of the EU.
Shari Rohret, Woods Hole: MIT/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; Joint PhD program, expected 2024
Already a qualified research scientist, Shari is dedicating her PhD studies to single cell ocean dwelling organisms that have recently been identified as excellent repositories of climate change “records”, especially from hurricanes and cyclones. These records are a key component for evaluating of the impact of climate change on ocean waters. She will become one of the few scuba qualified academics to collect and identify her own research samples in underwater caves. Her advisor especially lauds her leadership in the sciences and as a role model to many younger students. Shari also has been involved with public outreach on environmental awareness, both as an undergraduate as well as during her internship with the National Park Service. She continues similar efforts as part of the Woods Hole area’s BIG (Broader Impacts Group).
Emma Burke, Harwich Ma; University of New England; Major; Environmental Studies Minor; Art Therapy; Expected graduation 2022
Emma is a Harwich native and notes the impact of growing up near Muddy Creek as well as counting herring as her inspiration. She is passionate about Conservation Biology, with a special interest in birds. She has participated in a number of research projects related to banding and tracking song-birds in Vermont including working with farmers on preserving nesting habitat. Emma’s long-term goal is to work on the Cape for an organization focused on conservation. Emma received an award from FCW last year.
Becca Cox, Falmouth: Wellesley College; Major in Environmental Science; Minor in Studio Art; Graduation 2022
Becca is an outstanding student who is particularly interested in research and hopes to study local issues including whale behavior in response to human activities like shipping and fishing, or legal and environmental challenges caused by renewable energy systems.
In addition to her classroom work she has experience with the Woods Hole Institute and MIT Sea Grant where she recently researched, and then proposed, shellfish restoration as an alternative income generator to address the impact of the Covid pandemic on Massachusetts fisheries. She is also an active member of the Citizens Climate Lobby. Becca is currently undertaking an Independent Study in collaboration with the underwater photographer and conservationist Keith Ellenbogen, that combines her interests in marine ecosystems, scientific data, and art. This project is using microscope photography of diatoms, collected from the waters near Cape Cod, to produce a combined art-conservation book that will help readers appreciate typically unseen underwater biodiversity.
Callahan Coughlin, University of Massachusetts, Amherst; Major Environmental Science; Minor Plant and Soil Science; Graduation 2022
Callahan grew his passion for the environment attending Sturgis High School. As a senior at Sturgis, he won the “Carton 2 Garden” competition, spending the winter germinating and growing endangered marsh grass and then transplanting them to estuary sites across the Cape. He also did an internship in Iceland working an a “meet us don’t eat us campaign” which has contributed to the end of Icelandic whaling and has experience as a research assistant in the Roy Aquatic Ecology program. His long-term goal is to get his Master’s in Marine Biology and study and work at Wood’s Hole.
Mackenzie Connor Cotuit, MA; University of Maine, Orono, Major: Ecology and Environmental Science, Minor, Outdoor Leadership; Graduation 2022
Mackenzie has a passionate and can-do attitude and wants to promote a healthy environment, reduce the effects of climate change and make a more sustainable habitat for future generations. She plans on bringing people into nature and to educate to open doors and would like to attend graduate school. She is engaged in extra-curricular activities; working as a manager and outdoor educator for Maine Bound Adventure Centers, with Citizens Climate Lobby and with Hirundo Wildlife Sanctuary. She works as a biological lab assistant for United Stated Department of Agriculture Research Service in Orono.
Camryn Roberts-Capak, Centerville, MA; Mass. Maritime Academy, Major: Marine Science, Safety and Environmental, Minor, Marine Biology. Graduation 2022
Camryn’s long-term goal is to conduct ocean research on impacts of climate change. She hopes to continue her education by attending graduate school. She has been chosen to be Orientation Squad Leader, to guide incoming freshmen and has received the highest position in her major as Environmental Operations Officer. She has been active in environmental action since high school and during college she has worked summer jobs in the environmental field including as a Marine Scientist Intern monitoring eelgrass on Cape Cod and as an Aquaculture Lab Assistant at the school.
Madison Sachs; UMASS-Lowell; Accelerated BS and MA program in Environmental Science BS expected 2022, MA 2023
Madison has worked the Cape for the past two summers, including an internship at CARE for the Cape and Islands doing community outreach environmental stewardship, and a kayak guide for sustainable ecotourism with RideAway Adventures. Conservation of natural habitat and threatened species are her main interests and motivated her to pursue a career in the environmental science field.
Cameron Bonnell, Harwich: University of Massachusetts; Amherst Environmental Science; Natural Resource Conservation. (2021)
Cameron’s interests are in academic research or working on government conservation policy issues. Worked as a ranger in the mountains of New Mexico, Philmont Scout Ranch operated by the Boy Scouts of America. He has recently worked as a Land Stewardship Intern with the Orleans Conservation Trust.
Emma Burke, Harwich: University of New England, Environmental Studies (2024 accelerated Master’s)
Emma has a special interest in ornithology and has been working as a research assistant collecting data about Bobolinks that rely on local hayfields for spring nesting. She has been accepted into an accelerated five-year program for a Master’s degree in Environmental Science in Conservation Biology with a focus on conserving endangered birds in New England.
All
ison Carter, Centerville: University of Massachusetts, Amherst; Environmental Science; Public Policy (2021)
Allison has a particular interest in promoting environmental awareness and literacy with consumers and industries and hopes to work in that area upon graduation. Passionate about giving back to the community, she has been actively engaged on the Cape, starting a web site to promote environmental literacy and awareness, http://www.missioncapecod.org and working with the Housing Assistance Corporation in Barnstable to build a garden for men who had experienced long term homelessness. (previous FCW recipient).
Alexandra Cook, Eastham, SUNY College of Environmental Science; Master’s in Fish and Wildlife Biology and Management (2021).
Alex is passionate about coastal avian conservation and endangered species management. She has worked on a snowy plover project in Florida and restoration of avian nesting sites on salt marsh habitats with the NYC Parks Dept. She has presented her research at regional and international conferences and is currently an intern with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. She is also an integral part of a five-university working group known as SHARP which studies saltmarsh ecosystems from Maine to Virginia. (previous FCW recipient)
Livia Graham, Dennis: College of the Holy Cross, Environmental Studies; Geoscience (2022)
Livia is particularly concerned about hydrology, water quality and water pollution. She aspires to be a scientist, and has a desire to contribute to improving water quality on the Cape, with a special interest in cyanobacteria blooms. She has been a volunteer at the APCC.
Kathleen Mason, Barnstable; Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University. Master’s in Environmental Management (2021).
Kathleen’s focus is on coastal resiliency and water quality, including wetlands and stream restoration. She is currently serving as a River Conservation Fellow with American Rivers in their Durham, North Carolina office working on State policy affecting rivers and the communities that depend on them. A key area of research has been on the issues surrounding the management of Cape Cod’s aquifer in light of local government fragmentation, decision making rules within town governance, and the area’s cultural norms of individualism. (previous FCW recipient).
Christopher Mazulis, Chatham: Salve Regina College; Environmental Sustainability (2021)
Chris has been involved in a number of environment actions including beach cleanups, and native species protection for the Aquidneck Land Trust in RI. He has a particular interest in renewable energy as well as environmental law enforcement.
Lucy Packer, Vineyard Haven; Warren Wilson College; Conservation Biology; Environmental Studies (2021)
Lucy’s special interest is forestry and how to conserve land and restore habitat in a way to coexist with people. She participated in the Polaris Project with the Woods Hole Research Center, at a remote field site in Alaska and presented the project at the American Geophysical Union. Her senior thesis is investigating the effects of a trout hatchery’s discharge on benthic macroinvertebrate diversity. She would like to work with a land conservation group, ideally on Martha’s Vineyard to manage the Islands forests to improve, restore and conserve habitat for native species.
Benjamin Pickard, Wellfleet; Roger Williams Roger Williams University, Marine Biology, Aquiculture; (2021)
Ben has researched the effects of nitrogen on microalgae starter cultures with the purpose of growing alae more effectively for the production of hatchery raised shellfish and feeds for fin fish and was invited to present his findings at the 110th National Shellfisheries Associations Annual Meeting. Having had a shellfish license at age 12, and a commercial lobstering license since age 16, his goals are to open a hatchery on the Cape utilizing what he has learned in the classroom and the lab and to share his knowledge and ideas within the fishing community. (previous FCW recipient)
Alexandra Cook, is attending the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) located at Syracuse University majoring in Fish and Wildlife. She wrote that “Growing up in Eastham I developed a passion for coastal ecosystems and the wildlife that inhabit them. My research is focused on imperiled tidal marsh sparrows. Saltmarsh and Seaside sparrows depend exclusively on the tidal marshes of the northeast US for breeding and they are experiencing steep declines in population.” Ms. Cook will be graduating with a Master of Science degree in 2020. She received a FCW scholarship in 2013 while attending UMass Amherst. She plans to work on saltmarsh restoration projects on the east coast after graduation.
Kathleen Mason, Ms. Mason lives in Barnstable, MA. She completed her undergraduate studies at Colby College in Maine. She is now attending the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University with an expected graduation date for a Master of Environmental Management is 2021. Her future goals include working on projects that are part of the solution to our environment problems of the day with an emphasis on coastal resiliency and water quality. Learning about environmental degradation and general lack of urgency amongst the public, she is seeking to gain more knowledge, perform research and apply what she has learned to make a positive difference in environmental conditions in her generation.
Allison Carter, is attending the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and expects to graduate with a B.S. degree in Environmental Science in 2021. She is a resident of Centerville, MA. Her future goals are to obtain a master degree and doctorate. And to use her knowledge to connect climate change and environmental science with the public. Ms. Carter had glowing reports from her Professor of soil microbiology. She wrote in her application that, "Ideally I would like to work on Cape Cod to change habits that rely on plastic to biodegradable and promote the use of sustainable products."
Louisa Rossel, expects to graduate from Stonehill College in Easton, MA with a BA in 2021. She is majoring in Environmental Studies. Ms. Rossel grew up in Dennis, MA and would like to work at a nature preserve to protect wetland and marsh areas to increase populations of endangered species. She enjoys teaching children and had excellent letters of support from four professors.
Benjamin Pickard, lives in Wellfleet, MA. He is attending Roger Williams in Bristol, R.I. and expects to graduate in 2020 with a B.A. in Marine Biology and Aquaculture. He had a shellfish license when age twelve and when sixteen obtained a Commercial lobster license fishing out of Provincetown. He is a fourth generation “Cape Codder” raised by “Old Salts.” He has planted millions of clams and eventually would like to own a shellfish hatchery producing a sustainable source of oyster and quahog seedlings for the farms of New England and beyond. He submitted an excellent letter explaining his goals and why he would appreciate the scholarship.
Paige Decker, expects to graduate in 2020 from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy located in Buzzards Bay with a B.A. degree in Marine Environmental Safety and Protection. She is currently employed part-time at Hyline Cruises and has worked on the Cape Cod Canal. Ms. Decker grew up on Nantucket where she gained a love of the sea. She was a member of the Nantucket H.S. sailing team and is a member of the M.M.A. crew team. Her chemistry professor wrote in his letter of recommendation of her enthusiasm and commitment to keeping our water bodies free of contaminants.
Elie B. Jordi, of West Tisbury will complete his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Vermont in May, 2019. He is majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Political Science. His senior year will be spent taking course work at the School of International Training in Geneva, Switzerland, to study multilateral diplomacy and international studies. He hopes to work as a diplomat, focusing on environmental issues at the international level. More specifically, he plans on concentrating on how environmental issues impact national security.
Lela S. Larned, will complete her clinical year in 2018 at Murdoch University in Australia. She will receive her DVM degree in Conservation Medicine from St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine upon successful completion of her studies. Miss Larned, daughter of the late Larry Larned of South Chatham, plans to practice medicine on Cape Cod, specializing in wildlife health, conservation, and habitat restoration for native aquatic and terrestrial animals. Miss Larned is a published author in the field of wildlife conservation.
Matthew Cappucci, of Plymouth, Ma, attended school at the Sturgis Charter Public School in Hyannis, MA. He is now an upper classman at Harvard majoring in the special concentration individualized accredited Atmospheric Sciences program and plans to graduate with a bachelor’s of science in 2019. Matthew has excellent recommendations from his professors at Harvard. Mr.Cappucci’s goal at completion is to add to the science of predicting weather patterns. He wrote on his application: “I want to integrate environmental stewardship and protection to the message I hope to advance someday through my dual role on television and as a scientist.”
Evan Ridley, a native of Harwich, MA, will graduate in 2017 with a M.A. in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island. His professional goal is education and research focused on the preservation of our world’s marine resources and coastal habitats through policy analysis and policy development. While at the University Mr. Ridley was a graduate research assistant. He is researching ways to dispose of obsolete fiber glass boats in an environmentally friendly way.
Lela S. Larned, of South Chatham, MA. Plans to complete her final clinical year at Murdock University, Perth, Australia and receive her DVM in Conservation Medicine in 2018 from St. George’s University. Ms. Larned was the former Executive Director of Wildlife Care on Cape Cod from 2003 to 2010. She plans to practice medicine on Cape Cod, specializing in wildlife health, conservation and habitat restoration for native aquatic and terrestrial animals.
Gillian Badwan, Ms. Badwan is a graduate of Nauset Regional High School, Cape Cod, MA. She attended West Virginia Wesleyan College and transferred to the University of Massachusetts, Boston, where she will receive her B.A. degree in Environmental Science at U Mass, May 2016. Her career objective is to design and implement a curriculum-based nature and science afterschool program for elementary school students. Gillian plans to manage and teach natural sciences in an institute setting and to foster a sense of environmental stewardship in children.
Emily Blanchard lives in Brewster, Ma. Ms. Blanchard will graduate from Hobart and William Smith College in May 2017. She is majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Media and Society. She was honored by being named one of four teaching colleagues in her senior year, assisting in a first year course on sustainability. Emily plans to teach other students about their responsibility to take action as an environmental steward. Her professional goal is to work for an environmentally conscious company doing PR and promoting products that protect natural resources to consumers.
Conor Laffey of East Falmouth, will receive a B.S. at University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2015 in Environmental Studies. His major is forest management and water conservation. He aims to practice adaptive watershed and land management to successfully measure, monitor and restore ecosystem conditions; to conserve and interpret natural resources and wildlife habitats. FCW follow up: Conor is now a teaching assistant at UMass Amherst in the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Meredith Atwood from Dennis, MA. , is currently a PhD student at the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies at Yale University. Her academic achievement is at the A+ level of High Honors. Recommendations from Yale faculty were an outstanding student in her research and class work. Her immediate focus is determining critical food resources for amphibians. It will require developing an understanding of pond and wetland ecosystems so as to guide policy decisions. Her goal is to teach at the college level and to continue research after she received her doctorate.
Aaron Bryant is enrolled in the School of Environmental Management at the Nicholas School of Environment at Duke University. He expects to graduate in 2015. His grade point average is 3.0. His career objective is to work with local town municipal entities to manage their environment, especially storm water. Currently his focus is on energy/environment nexus with a special spotlight on ‘fracking.” Wisely one of his courses at Duke is conflict resolution. While an under graduate he was a Geist Awardee in municipal water management at Waquoit Bay National Estuaries Research Reserve.
David Bouck is a master’s candidate in Coastal Zone Management at Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmosphere Science, University of Miami. He expects to graduate in 2015.
A native of Martha’s Vineyard, he early on became aware of the beauty of his surroundings which fostered a desire to preserve the environment as a professional. As an undergraduate, he received a fellowship grant for conservation biology which took him to South Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. He graduated cum laude with a B.S. degree. Several summers he served as Superintendent of Long Point Nature Refuge on Martha’s Vineyard. Two winters were spent working for the Resource Management department for the National Park Service in Hawaii Volcano National Park. His career goals are to earn a PhD. His recommendations are of the highest order.
AARON BRYANT, Mashpee, is enrolled in the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University in a two-year Master of Environmental Management program. He graduated cum laude with a Political Science degree from Duke, and plans to mesh this background with his focus on stormwater management. Working under the auspices of the Association to Preserve Cape Cod, he interviewed municipal officials and noted a common theme: the desire for third party expertise. He wants to be the third party to aid public and private sectors deal with stormwater.
ALEXANDRA COOK is a junior at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Her focus is on wildlife ecology and conservation, protecting native fish, birds and wildlife species or restoring habitats. She has worked in Wellfleet assisting a graduate student researching diamond-backed terrapins and at the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge in Chatham, assigned to nesting terns.
ZACHARY SCOTT graduated from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst with an Environmental Science degree. In an Honors College Research Study he studied the impact of commercial bee genes on the gene pool of native bees. No one in the United States has studied this. Bees pollinate cranberry crops, among other plants, and this is a very serious issue on the Cape, because breeders are bringing in commercial bees from elsewhere without knowledge of benefits or adverse effects. He plans to apply this fall to graduate school to study entomology and/or conservation genetics.
Meredith Atwood – Ms. Atwood is a Dennis, MA resident currently attending the Yale School of Forestry, she has a web site outlining her work at Yale. Her undergraduate work was done at Denison Collage graduating Summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, and winner of the President’s medal. She received a FCW award in 2012 and again in 2014. She moved from Denison to SUNY –ESF and worked with James Gibbs, a top notch conservation scientist. Now at Yale she will receive her doctorate in 2016. Meredith researches the ecology of temporary ponds. She is particularly interested in how terrestrial inputs (e.g. leaf litter) to ponds affect oxygen availability, carbon cycling, and food web dynamics. Her major advisor is Professor David Skelly.
Holly Bayley is a resident of Wellfleet, Cape Cod, MA. Ms. Bayley is in a Master’s program at the University of New Hampshire where she is completing her research fieldwork in Cape Cod estuaries, on aspects of the restoration of eelgrass. She also works full-time at Cape Cod National Seashore as the aquatic ecology technician. Her goal is to contribute to advancing the management of coastal ecosystems of Cape Cod and Massachusetts. In addition to receiving high grades, all three scholarship winners have already published research papers or given scientific presentations on their research.
Owen Nichols is in the final year of his Ph.D. program in the School for Marine Science and Technology at U. Mass. Dartmouth. His interest lies in understanding the marine ecosystem as a whole, beyond the study of a single species of animal. In his doctoral research he is working with commercial fishermen and scientists in assessing variables in nearshore habitats. He raised funds to start a research program at the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown with the objective of fostering collaboration between fishermen and scientists. He is a resident of Brewster. Follow up; 2016 - Owen Nichols is now the Director of Marine Fisheries at the Center for Coastal Studies. He received the John Annala Fishery Leadership Award in 2016.
Ashley Harrington, Brewster, completed a 2-year course of studies at Cape Cod Community College with high grades and begins her junior year at the University of Maine, Orino. She is majoring in Marine Biology and hopes to go on to graduate school.
Melissa Patrician, graduated magna cum laude from the University of Rhode Island and has worked as a research assistant at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. She is now in the first year of a Ph.D. program at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, N.Y., where she is specializing in the ecology of whales. Her award is the first time that FCW have so honored a graduate student.
Nicolle Bramer, Brewster, attends the Rubenstein School of Environmental Science and Natural Resources, University of Vermont. She expects to graduate this December (2010) and, after gaining experience in environmental consulting, hopes to obtain a Master's Degree. Her special interests are: water quality, and wetland management and restoration.
Carissa Giacalone, Brewster, completed a 2-year course of studies at Cape Cod Community College and begins her Junior year this fall (2010) at UMass-Lowell where she will major in environmental studies and minor in secondary education. She hopes to obtain a master's degree and then to become an environmental science teacher in a middle school, preferably in Massachusetts.
Katelyn Hart, Chatham, majoring in Marine Affairs, will graduate December 2009 from the University of Rhode Island. She has worked part-time for the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fisherman’s Association. After graduation, she will move to Washington State to participate in the Fisheries Observer Program on commercial vessels and to obtain a Master’s Degree in Fisheries Management at the University of Washington.
Megan Starr, West Barnstable, scholarship holder for her junior and senior years at Harvard University where she majors in Environmental Science and Public Policy. She intends to go to Law School to prepare for a career in environmental policy, lobbying for environmental regulation. She has attended the summer School for Field Studies: Marine Parks Management, worked at the Woods Hole Research Center and held a summer internship at the Alliance for Climate Protection in Washington, D.C.
Christine Harris, South Orleans, scholarship holder for her junior and senior years at Ithaca College where she majored in Environmental Studies. Summers, she has been a Visitor Assistant and Interpreter at the Cape Cod National Seashore. She plans to pursue a Master’s Degree leading to a career as an environmental educator.